Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Book Review: The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Laboratory...

The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Laboratoryby Daniele
Benedettelli, No Starch Press, 2014 is a rather different type of “unofficial”
manual for the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 kit. It is a manual introducing the reader
to EV3 robotics building and programming, with a comic story to
make it fun reading as well. The story is about an apprentice (Dexter Zifu)
coming to study under Mr. Daniel (a.k.a. the author) at the EVolution 3 Lab.
Dexter, as many young impatient apprentices soon discovers that there is much
to learn.

The book is written for use with the LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Retail
kit #31313, however, it can be used with the Educational version #45544 also
known as the Core Set – the actual programming software is "basically" similar except the Educational version has programming blocks for Gyro sensor, Temperature readings, Ultrasonic sensor, and an Energy Meter; the Retail/Home version does not. There are also a few different building elements. Although the Infrared sensor block is on the Educational software version, the Remote IR Beam and IR sensor elements are not in the kit, but they can be purchased from LEGO.

It starts with chapter 1 covering the kit and building techniques - the
difference between stud and studless building. Later, in the book there are
more building techniques; the “basics of LEGO geometry, like how to build sturdy
structures, make functional gear trains, and transmit and transform motion.” Next, he introduces

you to various building elements –
how to use beams, gears, sensors, and motors. He also touches on mathematical,
and robotic engineering concepts. He leads you through the building instructions
for Rov3r, a teaching model robot for the book. Now, this is where color would
have been very useful. Color building instructions are so much easier to
follow. The book is in black and white and gray-tone. In chapter 3, programming with the Program App on the brick
controller. Benedettelli takes you step-by-step through writing a simple program with the
Program App, with clear diagrams; I particularly like the paralleling with a
flow chart. Chapter 4, is devoted to Advanced Programming with the
Brick Program App.

After exploring programming with the Brck Program, Benedettelli
introduces you to EV3 computer programming. If you love math, you will
appreciate the chapter, The Math Behind the Magic! – it has an excellent
explanation of the Math blocks. Matter-a-fact, math is used in quite a few
explanations.

Since Benedettelli is using the Retail version of the EV3
Mindstorms, there is a chapter on the IR Sensor and using the Remote IR Beacon.
There is a cute comic story to go with it too.

Throughout the book are sidebars, “Digging Deeper” to explain some advanced
topics in depth and there are nice "Experiments" for you to try at the end of the chapters; a
good way to re-enforce what you are learning and challenge you to discover on
your own. As a bonus, if you go to Benedettelli’s
website:

The remainder the book give building instructions, Brick Program
App, and EV3 programming for more advanced robots: WATCHGOOZ3, SUP34 CAR,
SENTIL3L, and T-R3X; again, this is where color would be very helpful for
easily identifying the different color-coded programming blocks in the palette
and building elements. The printed book has gray-tone images, however, the
eBook versions are in color, so I would definitely recommend you purchase the
eBook; plus, eBooks on tablets are great, because you can zoom in on details
and you can easily read your tablet (no trying to hold the book open) while
programming on your computer. By the way, if you really like having the
printed book for your bookshelf, but would also like an eBook version, order
from No Starch Press and get the free eBook with the order of the printed book.

If you have Mindstorms NXT experience, I would definitely
recommend The LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Laboratory by Daniele
Benedettelli to get you started with the
Mindstorms EV3. Newbies to Mindstorms robotics "might" be a little overwhelmed with this book, so I would recommend another book (reviewed on this blog) first, and then get this book for more in-depth learning.

STEM to STEAM

Not to long ago the U.S. educational system realized it was lagging in the areas of math, and science. So STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math became the new focus in education in an attempt to improve the quality of these subjects, get students interested in these subjects so that we could inspire them to pursue careers in these areas. LEGO Technology and Mindstorms Robotics is a natural tool for teaching STEM.

Now there is a new movement emerging STEM + ART (and DESIGN) = STEAM. Well, you might be saying, “Oh no, not another buzz word.” However, if you think about, Art and Design can be found in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Art and Design can actually help improve on our innovations in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math in our quest to improve the quality of life and our future existence.

And of course, LEGO Technology, Mindstorms Robotics, and littleBits definitely fits in the STEAM objectives.

Learning Code

Inclusion!

Helping an urban community to learn technology!

This non-profit organization was created by one of my former middle school students & FIRST LEGO League team member of the Cyberbots.

Brics~2~Bots Curriculum

Why Brics~2~Bots?

It’s a challenge, it’s hands-on, it’s learning in action. John Dewey set forth the theory that we learn better by doing - we take the knowledge and apply it by building. With LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & MINDSTORMS/TETRIX Robotics Engineering students learn by designing, building, & coding. The benefits of such a curriculum goes beyond the science concepts that can be learned, the math theories that can be explained, and literacy skills that are practiced through communication between students, reflective journals and design worksheets; students express their creativity & learn to problem solve together to reach a goal - creating and inventing “cool devices” capable of awesome tasks. LeGology Technology, littleBits Electronics, & Robotics Engineering (Brics~2~Bots) are great for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, Math) program, because it touches on all these subjects.

To see some of the projects by students at Brics~2~Bots, type in "B2B Lab" in the Search This Blog in the sidebar.

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About Me

I have been involved with LEGO® & robotics since 2002. I was the coach of NYC-FLL championship teams: Techno-Eagles, roboGbots, NYCityzens, Dragonbotz, Vulcabotz, Optibotz & The Cyberbots (FLL & FTC). Currently, I am a part-time robotics consultant who sets up LEGO Technology & robotics programs, conducts NXT & EV3 robotics workshops for schools & various organizations (AMNH). I am the Director/Instructor of Brics~2~Bots; a mini LEGO center that supports the S.T.E.A.M. initiative providing individual & small group instruction to children, gifted to special needs. Training & mentoring for new FLL coaches is also available. I am un-shamefully an AFOLAR - Adult Fan Of LEGO And Robotics! ;-)